More Official news....

Hard to believe.... the word has come threw... this little puppy....

who grew to this bigger puppy.....

and bigger still.....

to this fine handsome boy!!! Will be heading for college next week.

All our best wishes Otis (aka Otto) our love goes with you and we plan on seeing you at graduation.

driving clinic

Isn't he a little cutie pie... this is Quinn, a Welsh Cobb who belongs to my good friend Betty. I have talked about Betty and Quinn before, but it's been some time since I have seen them. Quinn has done some filling out and is becoming quite the nice young horse. Betty so enjoys driving him and has big plans for his future. Quinn is boarded at an amazing facility.. where they often have clinics... and such was the case on Sunday.





Betty sent me an email a few weeks back, wondering if I might like to try a driving clinic. I jumped on the chance. I like working with different people, and goodness know Tonka can use the work. So, with clean tack (previous blog) and the excitement to go to work.. we headed over. How many of my horse friends would like this arena in their back yard!!!!!







Tonka goes fairly well in harness, but he could be better. I know he needs work and experience, but I think there is something going on with him. One bad habit, is he throws his head. Sometimes so hard it feels like he has ripped your arm from the shoulder. So, when I had the chance to meet with Robyn, I gave her my list of "problems"






She listened carefully, and worked him for a bit. He really is a good boy.. especially when I think that we easily trailered him over, tacked up in the middle of the parking area outside the arena... brought him into the arena (which he had never seen) and the whole time he behaved perfectly.









So, I know he has "it"... just needs to be even better.













We put him into the cart, took a few spins around the arena and then Robyn went to work.











After watching him move, she recommended a different bit (which we tried and it seemed to make a difference.) She also adjusted the fittings of the harness and the hitch... and watched us go again.

Because it was a clinic, we didn't have a huge amount of time with her. But I have already decided that I'm going to make the changes she suggested and then set up a private lesson with her. It was really a fun afternoon, nice to be with other horse people, catch up with Betty, travel to some place new with Tonka and get to work with him. I'm hoping we can do more things of this nature......

getting ready....

We have a driving clinic coming up on Sunday... and I decided to take Tonka and see what we can learn. He does OK in the driving department, but there is certainly room for improvement, so here's a great opportunity. I took a look at his tack... and found it was in dire need of cleaning... (uuggghhhh)

Speaking of cleaning... it was time to get the chicken coop cleaned out. Sadie (thankfully) volunteered for the job... and Abbie was more than happy to help "make her chickem's home clean".....

they did a good job. Ed got the new nesting boxes into place and I think we are ready to go.

Annabelle as always, supervises all the things that go on around the barn. She is such a good kitty, we haven't seen one mouse or vermin ever around that barn.

So, back to me. Leather harness!!! You know, when we ordered this harness for Tonka, "everyone" tried to talk me into a bio-than harness, but I said NO.. I wanted a nice traditional leather harness. If I had only thought. On top of that, this harness has some pretty brass trimmings.. which all needs attention.

I did a detailed cleaning. Unbuckling every buckle and then putting it all back. It "only" took me five hours to clean it.

We are having an amazing stretch of spring weather, many days are hot. We need rain and because of the lack of snow.... we really need rain. But, the animals are certainly enjoying the weather, and it's been kind of nice not having so much mud....but I "worry" about the hay crop this year.

And there have been so many complaints about the ticks. So, I am always happy to see these guinea hens out on patrol. They are very busy to be sure....

Eat all those nasty bugs..........

AND... we got a little broody hen. She is sitting on six eggs and if all goes well, we could have some chick around the first of May. I don't know what we'll do with more chicks, but Abbie is pretty excited watching over her.

She checks almost everyday and says "No chickem's yet"... it will be really exciting when the day arrives and there are "baby chickem's"....

Norton's busy training days......

Our friend Norton has had a busy couple of weeks!!! and his training continues to go well. A few weeks ago, he went with Linda (0ur chapter leader) to do a puppy swap and visit Cabela's. These puppy swaps are so important to our training program, it really helps the puppies move into new situations quickly and comfortably.

Norton had a fun time with Linda. He got to play with her golden Chloe, try a hand at "tenting"... made a ton of new friends,

and even dressed up as an Easter bunny!!!!!

When he got back home, I had the opportunity to take him down to Logan Airport. Our friend Kelli had gone to visit with family, and when Rick was heading down to pick her up.... I asked if I could go along. We went down early, just so we could work the dogs. We parked in the huge parking garage and headed to the elevators. Norton thinks everything is cool... and Otis, just waits quietly.

I see him sit like this often, I have to admit, I wondering what he's thinking..

The elevator dropped us off in the baggage area. Even though this picture doesn't show it, we arrived just as a plane was unloading. There were a lot of people pulling bags off, greeting one another.. other dogs that must have been on the flight... it was loud and noisy and Norton took it all in - as did Otis.

We wandered around, dealing with all sorts of people and different things. Which is exactly why we went there!!! But, when I found this huge cup of coffee!!! I couldn't resist... if only coffee really came in this size cup (sigh)

I have to say, this dog can have the calmest attitude about things. It's hard to think of him like "this" when I see him tearing around the yard and bouncing around the house... but overall, he takes things with a wonderful laid back calmness.

Kelli arrived safe and sound, and it was back to baggage to collect her things. Otis took a real interest this time, I think he might have been looking for Kelli's bag!!!!

The next day, we spent some time training at the Kittery Trading post (forgot my camera). The place was packed and it was hard to keep people at bay. Norton loves people, especially children, and some how when they see him the "rules" of a working dog don't apply. I gave up trying to tell people he was working!!!!

After that, we headed over to the flyball tournament that our club hosts each year. Now, there's a place that's loud and exciting. Norton was pretty excited to see all that activity... dogs racing, people yelling, balls rolling all over the place...

He watched with great interest....

Here's our team, waiting to run.....

but, after we had been there a few hours... this was Norton once again. Laying quietly and taking it all in. I have a good feeling about this dog too... he'll make it as a service dog, I am sure.

time to trade :(

A bittersweet day... I'm trading my truck for something newer. I feel sort of sad.. not only is this a paid for truck... but I like my truck and have a lot of memories attached to it.

Sadly, trucks - like many other things, just don't last forever and wear out. We are beginning to deal with rust issues and before we get to that stage of one major repair after another --it's time to say goodbye.

It's not like we don't have a truck for "farm use". I actually got my truck, because when we were boarding the horses, I needed it to transport all kinds of horse things. Also, when I got it, the girls were driving on their own, so I wasn't needed for the chauffeuring, and could go to this type of vehicle. However, my life has changed again... aside from not needing it for horse stuff, I find I am back to needing more room again... a place for Abbie.. places for more friends as we travel to NEADS together... places for more dogs (service dog, guests doggies and the like).. and my truck just doesn't offer that space.

So, here's the new baby. It's a one owner 2011 Jeep... with tow package (thank goodness because I have already needed it) installed. It gets better gas mileage than the truck, has a great back space for dogs, and can carry five people comfortably. I like it..... just not the payments!!! :(

Ginger!!!

As you all know, Ginger has a match. So, while waiting for her new owner to arrive and begin their training together, Ginger and several other NEADS dogs do outings of all kinds. One is called "Dog at your desk".. where volunteers take the NEADS dogs to work with them and practice office experiences. Ginger was chosen to "work" one day last week at the town offices in Princeton, MA. I wish I could figure out how to repost the article here on the blog, but basically, the volunteers talked about how much fun it is to have the dogs at work, and how excellent they have all been trained. This photo was on the front page.... our gal!!!! Goodness, the 25th is still two weeks away... it's taking forever to get here!!!!!

Happy Easter..

Spring on the farm this year has been warm -- actually hot on some days. We seldom have Easter with this warm weather, so everyone seems to be taking advantage of it. I had an errand to do one day at the post, and since Abbie and I were "working" in the barn....

We just hopped in the gator and ran over in that. Dan (my boss) thought that was the funniest thing ever, and got these photos of the two of us. Just wait til I drive over with my horse and buggy one day... wonder what he'll think of that!!!!

The hens are in full business again. We get six eggs a day.. they are so yummy!!! Everyone comments on "how different" they taste compared to store bought. In fact, one day while visiting Tee-tee (Kassy) Abbie wouldn't eat the eggs she made.. she said they were "yucky"... spoiled farm kid.

Rick popped over on the day that Ed was getting our lamp post up. He was happy to lend a helping hand.....

and I am so happy to have this beautiful light at the end of the walk way. Now I won't be so worried when friends come to visit in the dark!!!!

Easter dinner this year was at the farm. I just love having my family here and being able to cook a nice dinner for everyone. Naomi was so cute... she loves all the animals, and when Mom and Dad brought little Amy, Naomi appointed herself as Amy's watcher. She told her Dad just how it should all be done...

A wonderful time to enjoy each other's company and celebrate family and the gift that God sent to all of us... his Son and that we can spend our time in heaven.

Abbie had been with her Dad and his family over Easter, so we had our celebration a few days later. She was excited about her gifts, but teaching her the real celebration of Easter will be the greatest gift of all.